Migraine Risk Factors
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Migraine Risks
A risk factor is something that increases your likelihood of getting a disease or condition.
It is possible to develop headaches with or without the risk factors listed below. However, the more risk factors you have, the greater your likelihood of developing headaches. If you have a number of risk factors, ask your doctor what you can do to reduce your risk.
Risk Factors for Tension Headache
Specific Lifestyle Factors
Poor posture, such as holding a phone between your shoulder and ear puts stress on the muscles and can result in tension headaches.
Medical Conditions
Certain conditions are associated with tension headaches and tightening of the muscles in the neck, face, and scalp. These include:
- Depression (in 70% of people with chronic daily headache)
- Anemia
- Anxiety
- Teeth clenching or grinding
- Insomnia
- Sleep Apnea
- Arthritis in the neck
Gender
Women are at greater risk of tension headaches than men.
Genetic Factors
Approximately 40% of individuals with tension headache have a positive family history.
Risk Factors for Migraine
Specific Lifestyle Factors
Several lifestyle factors may trigger a reaction in the blood vessels that brings on a migraine headache. These include:
- Lack of sleep
- Skipping meals
- Drinking alcohol, especially red wine
- Excessive exercise
- Eating foods with monosodium glutamate (MSG) or nitrates (such as red wine and nuts); eating cheese or chocolate
- Stress
- Travel
Medications
Use of certain medications may trigger a migraine, including:
- Birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy (There may be some relationship between female hormones and migraines.)
- Drugs that dilate the blood vessels (They change blood flow in the brain.)
- Headache remedies used on a daily or near daily basis
Age
The highest incidence is in teenage years.
Gender
Migraine headaches are more common among females-with a 3:1 female to male ratio.
Genetic Factors
Migraines seem to run in families. Approximately 90% of migraine patients have a positive family history.
Other
Migraines may be triggered by the blood vessels overreacting to a variety of factors, including:
- Menstruation
- Fatigue
- Changes in altitude, weather, or time-zone
- Glaring lights
- Perfumes or other odors
Risk Factors for Cluster Headache
Specific Lifestyle Factors
Cluster headaches seem to occur more often in heavy Tobacco Use Disorder , shift workers, and Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. The reason is not understood.
Medical Conditions
Having head surgery or a Concussion increases your risk of cluster headache.
Age
Risk is greatest between 20-40 years old in men, whereas women have a later onset at age 60 and beyond.
Gender
Males are at greater risk for cluster headaches than females-with a male to female ratio of 6:1.
Risk Factors for Sinus Headache
Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions increase nasal secretions and cause swelling in the tissues lining the nasal passages. These changes lead to nasal congestion and stuffiness. The nasal passages become blocked and normal drainage cannot occur. Secretions that are trapped in the sinuses may become infected with bacteria or, rarely, fungus. The swollen tissues or infection may create pain and pressure.
Conditions that increase sinus pressure and increase your risk of sinus headache include:
- Allergic Rhinitis
- Asthma
- Viral Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
- Otitis Media
- Nasal Polyp
- Tooth Abscess or infection
- Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
- Nasal deformities, such as a Deviated Nasal Septum
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Problems with the immune system
- Prior sinus surgery
- Facial injuries that block sinus passages
Other
Swimming in dirty water can cause an infection leading to a sinus headache if the water enters the nasal passages.
Risk Factors for Pseudomotor Cerebri
Gender
Pseudomotor cerebri are more common in women.
Medical Conditions
Medical Conditions
- Thrombosis (blood clot) in veins of brain or neck (jugular vein)
- Addison's Disease
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Hypoparathyroidism
- Severe Iron-Deficiency Anemia
- Kidney Failure
- Heart failure with Pulmonary Hypertension
- Sleep Apnea
- More common in people who are Overweight
Medications
Use of certain medications may play a role including:
- Anabolic steroids
- Corticosteroid withdrawal after prolonged use
- Growth hormone
- Nalidixic acid
- Nitrofurantoin
- Tetracycline
- Vitamin A toxicity
